My poor DS1 has been having some behavioral issues for a while now. We're seeing a pediatrician Wednesday to see what, if anything, he has to say about what is going on.

- He cries at the drop of a hate. Ugly cry episodes about 5x a day

- Was extremely hard to potty train, took until just before his 4th birthday and was good for 3 weeks, then started pooping on the floor, picking at his poop/bum, peeing on things, peeing his pants seemingly on purpose.

- Talks a lot at home. Complete chatterbox. Will ask the same question over and over even if you've answered it several times already.

- He doesn't like tasks that involve too much concentration, like coloring or drawing. He'll do a puzzle, but only if it doesn't take too long or he'll get up and leave.

- Very very impatient and very very impulsive. He just does things when he wants to do things and faces the consequences after the fact.

- Lashes out at DS2 a lot. Will push him, hit him, bite him. We've been consistent with 1-2-3-Magic and time-outs. We also give him 'calm-down time' in his room for when we see he's starting to get annoyed with his brother, but he hasn't yet gotten physical.

- He does not follow instructions well. If we ask him to come over to us or ask him to do something, it takes him a long time it seems to even understand what we've asked and even then he might not do what we've asked as we've specified.

- He clutches his penis through his pants sometimes. I don't know if this is a coping thing, a habit or what. We'll be at the store and I'll look over and he'll just be kind of holding his penis through his pants. No matter how many times we've asked him not to and explained that he can do something like that in private but not in public, he still does it.

- He's also pretty darn clumbsy

Trust me, I do not want to be on the ADHD bandwagon. Not that it's a bandwagon per say, but you get my gist. I'm not wanting his problems to be explained away by ADHD, medicate him and that's that. Even if he had a diagnosis of ADHD I think I'd try everything before medicating. I'm just trying to get a gauge as to what the ped might think as these are the things we'll be bringing to his attention.

Thoughts?

JennTheMomma

09-17-2012 09:42 PM

Re: Does this sound like ADHD or something similar?

My ds1 has ADHD (DH has ADD) and does not share those same characteristics (sp). He can be emotional (goes in phases) and he does have a hard time focusing. But everything else in your list is the opposite pretty much. That doesn't mean your child doesn't have ADHD, but may be he has something else going on that is affecting his mood/behavior. Usually for ADHD and other behavioral problems you'll have an initial appointment with the Pediatrician and then he'll send a referral to a specialist, and then after that you'll see a psychologist to do an evaluation. It can take weeks or months. For us it was a long road. We also do not medicate and we are able to maintain a healthy balance through lots of free play, exercise and organic only eating (dyes and other things in foods can upset the balance and make it harder for him to focus).

TresOfReality

09-17-2012 11:13 PM

Re: Does this sound like ADHD or something similar?

I work in the Special Education dept. at our elementary school and couldn't even dream of guessing what might be affecting your son based on the description provided.

However, based on the information you've provided, it wouldn't surprise me if you were referred for a pediatric psychiatric evaluation. (This is how ADHD and other behavioral health issues are diagnosed.) IF he is diagnosed with something, the sooner the better. His chances of overcoming challeges are far greater the younger he is.

The assessment that medication isn't the beginning and the end is 100% correct. Run from any physician who acts like it is. Children (and their families) with behavioral issues need counseling, training and lots of directed physical activities.

I wish you well in your search and hope your find peace with what you find out.

isabelsmummy

09-18-2012 12:18 AM

Re: Does this sound like ADHD or something similar?

Other than the crying, he sounds like my nephew at the same age. Especially the late potty training, impulsiveness and hurting the younger sibling. He's 7 now and most of those things you listed have resolved themselves. I have to admit I find my nephew really odd but DH says he's just like his dad (DH's brother) who is an engineer.

boysniris

09-18-2012 12:28 AM

Re: Does this sound like ADHD or something similar?

:hugs:

I'm in the process of having my DS1 (7 1/2) evaluated due to his unacceptable behavior. A lot of what he did I thought was normal for a busy 7 1/2 yo. He shares some of the things you describe for your son, but not others. The ones he shares:

- He cries at the drop of a hate. Ugly cry episodes about 5x a day Lashes out in anger instead of crying

- Talks a lot at home. Complete chatterbox. Will ask the same question over and over even if you've answered it several times already.

- Very very impatient and very very impulsive. He just does things when he wants to do things and faces the consequences after the fact.

- Lashes out at DS2 a lot. Will push him, hit him, bite him. We've been consistent with 1-2-3-Magic and time-outs. We also give him 'calm-down time' in his room for when we see he's starting to get annoyed with his brother, but he hasn't yet gotten physical.

- He does not follow instructions well. If we ask him to come over to us or ask him to do something, it takes him a long time it seems to even understand what we've asked and even then he might not do what we've asked as we've specified.

- He clutches his penis through his pants sometimes. I don't know if this is a coping thing, a habit or what. We'll be at the store and I'll look over and he'll just be kind of holding his penis through his pants. No matter how many times we've asked him not to and explained that he can do something like that My son will be digging in his nose instead. Even while talking to someone or no matter where we are at the time.

Just more :hugs: I thought maybe I was a bad parent and doing something wrong. However, DS2 is 3 and appears to be more "normal" and I can see that, no, it's probably not so much me...

DalesWidda

09-18-2012 10:03 AM

Re: Does this sound like ADHD or something similar?

how old is he? My dd was diagnosed at age six but when she was four she was in behavioral therapy. Noone would diagnose her before school age because a lot of those behaviors are seen in younger children. Some of those do sound like ADHD but the problem is that so many disorders overlap.

bigmamakelsey

09-18-2012 10:05 AM

Re: Does this sound like ADHD or something similar?

Honestly, it sounds more like aspergers than ADD/ADHD to me. Either way, get him checked out :hugs:

l_Kimmie_l

09-18-2012 10:15 AM

Re: Does this sound like ADHD or something similar?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmamakelsey
(Post 15698221)

Honestly, it sounds more like aspergers than ADD/ADHD to me. Either way, get him checked out :hugs:

I agree or PDD NOS. My DS2 is like this. My DS3 is similar but only has Behavoiral Disorder and Sensory/Regulatory Integration Disorder, He might have ODD or ADHD, but he is more defiant than anything. It is my ASD child who persererates on things.

Ontariomama

09-18-2012 10:21 AM

You could have described my yds. His ped and family doc finally came to the conclusion that it is most likely ADHD. Considering his older brother and I do as well, it wasn't a huge shock.

We were wavering between ADHD and somewhere on the ASD spectrum. I knew we had to do something when a little boy from his hockey team HID from him at Walmart. :( Nate doesn't get boundaries and "personal bubbles", but his teachers and I have been working on it. He has to ask before hugging people, don't touch others' faces, etc etc. Dh has taught him "knuckles" and the chest bump instead of hugging everyone. lol

Since we've already been trying to manage with diet/activity for the past 3 years, the ped started a med trial last week (biphentin a.m. and melatonin for bed). It's working... slowly, but I can see it. :) His dose will probably need to be tweaked, but he hasn't hit his brothers in 4 days. That's huge for him. I think it's giving him that extra few seconds to think "woo, that might not be a good idea". AND he can sit for a bedtime story!!

All you can do is ask. The Dr. might have a totally different idea that you haven't thought of yet.

escapethevillage

09-18-2012 10:23 AM

Re: Does this sound like ADHD or something similar?

It doesn't sound a lot like ADHD to me...but, every kid is different, and there are so many issues that a child can have, but with the right help, most of those things can and will improve.

My neighbor kid has ADHD. He's obnoxious. We love him...but, we love him in the street, not in our homes or yards. He's been on medication, AND behavior counseling for four years now, and between those and just maturing, he's a much calmer kid. (he's 8 now)

He still has a very bad temper, and hits first, thinks later. But, even that has improved. Just last night, they were playing football in the street, and he got mad at his little brother and drilled the poor kid with the football.